Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-28
you the rcSul, in the language Of Mr. Bonla-

fact should become known TO some Of the spies
Of the enemy, Of whose activity we were we'll
assured. IL was thought best for the public in
tercst that I should submit 10 ccnsure."
IL was a saying Of General Lee that all the
herOism OF the country was not In tho army
and think the SecretOry Of War deserved 4
decoration.
HEROIC NATURE or LIE.
But must hasten on 70 what regard as the
greatest exhibition OF tho heroic nature OF
General Loe. ! have not time TO speak OF many
Incidents that came under my observation
during the war illustrative Of his character;
and showing how he acquired his wonderful
influence over the troops under his command.
can best describe that influence by saying
that such was the love and yeneratlon OF the
men for him that they came 10 look upon tho
cause as General Lees cause, and they fought
for It because they loved him. To them he
represented cause, country, and all
The wonderful Influence Of Napoleon over
his soldiers had for its foundation the love Of
military glory. II appealed 70 no nOOler senu-
ment II was as Intense In wars OF ambition
"a I'm war for the defence Of the country
Napoleon was the IDOL 81 his soldiers. Lee
was the idol Of his men.
will relate an incident 10 show how the men
regarded General Lee.
While the army was on the Rapifan. In the
winter Of ls63-'6i, II became necessary. "a was
often the case, TO put the men upon very short
raiions Their duty was hard, not only on the
outpOsts, during the winter, but in the con-
between the different parts Of the army. One
Gay General Lee received letter from pri-
yate soldier, whose name ] do not now re-
member, informing him Of the work that
he had 10 DO aud that his TatiOns we're
not sufficient TO enable him % undergo
the fatigue. He said, however, that II II was abb
sOlutely necessary 10 put him upon such short
allowance he would mako the best OF 10, but
that he and his comrades wanted % know II
General Lee was aware that his men were got
ID -
II he was sure there must be some necessity
for It, General Lee did not reply directly %
the letter. but issued general order, I'm which
he Informed the soldiers OF his Efforts IN their
behalf and that their priyation was beyond his
means Of present relief. ONT assured them that
he was making every effort % procure SUM-
cieut supplies. After that there was not
murmur I'm tho army, aud the hungry men
went cheerfuly 10 thor hard WORK.
FEDERAL SOLDIERS INCIDENT.
You have al heard the Anecdotes connected
with his appearance In the midst Of the chare-
ing columns al the Wilderness aud nj spots
sylvauia Courthouse. and how the affection OF
his men forced him 10 avoid the dangers OF
battle. | shall not repeat any OF these stories,
which are familiar I'm all southern households
but there is one incident forwhirh an indeb;-
cd TO a Federal soldier, which ! VIII venture ~
relate "a illustrating the chararter Of General
lee. doubt il il has It's parallel in the annals
Of battles.
Federal soldier informing me that, as | might
desire 10 have personal incidents connected
with General Lee, he would be glad 70 furnish
me with one which had occurred under his own
observati, II, and which ho thought ought 20 be
told, and at my request no narrated the follow
ing circumstance. That ] may not detrart
from It's interest, ! will let him tell il In his
own simple way
contents noted. The Information about tho
late lamentcd General Lee, which ] wish 20
communicate 10 you, is as follows:
"On the 10Th Of August, 1864, was engaged
in battle with the Confederate army. b.
longcd 10 the Tenth corps, United states army,
General Foster commanding division. About
! o'clock. afternoon. the enemy drove rs before
them. Before that we had gained several lines
of pits &c, but al that time they swept down
upon US carrying all before them. Wcf0ughi "a
brave as we could. but IL was Of no avail /
thought AT the time that IL had taken sudden
turn and could not account for H. was taken
prisoner with about three hundred others. /
had not got but a hundred yards from the
works when we saw General Lee stand
ing beside his horse giving orders 90 his mon.
They would galop of % different parts Of the
hattie field. lie was cool and collected. pri-
soncr walked up 20 him and told hi "A rebel had
stolen lis hat. In the midst OF his orders he
stopped and told the rebel 10 give him back
the hat, and saw that he done 10, too ] Won
dcrcd at him taking any notice Ct prisoner
in the midst Of battle. II showed what a heart
be had for them. dl not want his life 10 ap-
pear without notice of il, for cannot forget 1t.
These are the facts Of the case. You may put
them in what shape you wish.
Yours respectfully,
"JOHS T.. DAVIS.
"Hnnrs station, Knor county, D."
mink this story worthy OF place beside
that Of Sir Philip sidney ana the woun Ted
soldier Sir Philip showed mercy, b 10 here Is
the blessed union Of merry and Justice On the
battlefield.
There is hardly an incident in General Lees
life. great or small, whom hc was called upon %
deal with the right. ana the interests and the
feelings Of others. or 10 deal with matters ar
fecuug the public that does not present an
Illustration Of some virtue.
DIGNITY AND GRANDEUR OF LEE.
shall not refer now % Tia many instances
hat occurred during The war in hl- Intercourse
with his own officers and soldiers, or with the
civil and military officers of the Confederate
Government. ] shall only say that there was
not an officer in his army who did not feel
bound 20 him by ties stronger than those Of
discipline. aud 90 whom his approval was not a
sufficient rocompense for any service
The dignity aud grandeur Of General Lee
never appeared 10 2 eater advantage than on
the occasion Of the surrender at App0ma.oX.
Others have described better thaa ] can his
| appearance in the interview with General
| Grant. let me say. however, "a The only Con-
| fcdcrate witness Of that scene, that hal Gene
raj Grant aud the officers who attended him
| studied beforehand how to conduct themselves
so as 20 spare as far a. possible the feelings of
| their illustrious cr envy, anf sho" their gene
! rous sympathy for him In the suure ne mo-
| mcnt Of his trial, they could not nave acted
| treir parts better than they ala wren they
| obcyoi the promptug- OF tle noble heart Of
! the true American soldier.
| Tie scene was in no way theatrical, but IN
! lis simplicity il was dramatic IN the extreme.
| II can only be painted 10y one who knows hos
20 depict victory without triumph.
IS General Leo stood confronting General
| Grant. before they began 70 speak OF the bl7l-
| less they had in hard, number OF Federal
| officers were near General Grant, listening
! 10 the conversation. and some II thom taxing
| part in il, and had stranger entered the room
| ignorant Of what was tGsing place, % would
! never have occurred TO him that anything wa
going ON but a pleasant conversation amot :
friends. Ger eral Lee was a. calm aud collector
"a ciPnifed and gracious IS ever "a" INN IL
the hour Of victory
Through tie pain and humiliation Of hl'
position. his great career about % close in d.
| feat and all that he hal done about % DE mai,
mayHiling. he saw the path OF duty ana ~
trod il with a. firm a foot and as brave a henr
aud a. lofty a mien az II IL had been the way
triumph.
GRANTS TRIBUTE TO LEE.
Perhaps the highest tribute tina, was eve
paid 10 General Lee was paid by General Gran
! himself al AppomattoX.
After the meeting at McLain's house. wh or
tie terms Of surrender were agreed upon
!
| with General Lee.
! Trou his return 20 his quarters General LET
1 informed myself and other members OF hl
staff that In his conversation wish Genera
| Grant the latter had expressed the most ear
! nest desire that peace should Doe Instantly re-
| stored aud that not another drop OI Alnerl 'ai
blood should be shed. lie then proposed
General Lee that the latter should forthwith
! meet Mr.. Lincoln. and said that whatever term
Of pacihcation MIR. Lincoln aud General Lee
| might agree upon would bee satisfactory % ia.
| reasonable people Of tho North and south, al
should have his own earnest support lie t0i.
General Lee that his influence with the south
| ern people would secure their concurrence, AM
| that MIR. LiucOln's counsel would be acccptc
| by the whole North.
| General Lee expressed the great plea ar
which General Grants noble and patriotic son
timents gave him, but declined 20 comply wit
| his request, because he was an officer OF IN
Confederate army. and could DO nothing In
consistent with his 0uty % the COnfe1erat
| Government
which will cl sc what have % say and CON
plete the explanation OF the meaning Of thi
monument.
LEE AFTER THE WAR.
Whom the war closed he found himself IA
past middle age and compelled % depend up0
his own efforts for his maintenance. lie Ia
r many offers from persons who desired 20 nav
the use OF his name 10 promote their Interest
IN business. All II these he declined. lie Ia
several invitations from wealthy admirers
. accept their hospitality and pass the remaindo
. Of his days in repOse. These no also declined
Nou know that finally he accepted the pos
ton Of president of Washington College, and /
, that dignihed but useful retirement he close
, his eventful life.
But ne did not lose his desire % be Of SCI
, vice not only 70 the people Of tho South, but Q
, | tho ppOplo of The whole country: ard ne set Z